Descent of Ganga from the heavens as the creatures from heaven
and earth watch; the mammoth stone relief from Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu,
India, 7th Century CE page 33.

Rama pursuing the spotted deer; this miniature is from the Persian
translation of the Ramayana during the period of Mogul emperor Akbar (1598-
1599 CE) A copy of the lost original can be found in the Freer Gallery of Art,
The Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC page 40.

A translation of the inset in Persian of the previous figure
(courtesy: Dr Nader Haghighipour) page 41.

A silver statue of Hanuman; Chamundi
Hills, Karnataka (courtesy: The Director of Information and Publicity,
Government of Karnataka) page 53. The Coronation of Vibhishana by Rama;
Ramaswami Temple in Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu, 17th Century page 63. An
eighteenth century Kangra painting; the British Museum, London page 76.

A battle scene from the Mahabharata; Channakeshava Temple, Belur,
Karnataka, 1117 CE page 139. An encounter between the Pandavas and the
Kauravas; a miniature from the Persian translation of the Mahabharata
commissioned by emperor Akbar (1560 CE), The British Museum, London page 145.

Krishna holding up the Govardhana mountain as the cows and
cowherds watch; Channakeshava Temple, Belur, Karnataka, 1117 CE page 166. Ugra
Narasimha, a colossal statue from the ruins of Hampi. Vijaya Nagar Empire, 14th
century CE (courtesy: The Director of Information and Publicity, Government of
Karnataka) page 172.

An eighteenth century painting from central India depicting the
Churning of the Ocean of Milk, The British Museum, London page 181. King Bali
offers Vamana, the dwarf, a gift by pouring sacred water on his palm;
Hoysaleshvara Temple, Halebid, Karnataka, 1141 CE page 188.

A depiction of the deliverance of Gajendra; 18th century palm leaf
manuscript from the Orissa State Museum, page 203. A part of palm leaf from an
18th century manuscript of Bhagawata by Ramannaiah, a forefather of the author,
page 208. The wedding of Shiva and Parvati; Elephanta Caves in an island across
Bombay, India, 8th Century CE page 241. Garuda, son of Vinata, with folded
hands; Channakeshava Temple, Belur, Karnataka, 1117 CE page 262.